Adam Matthews' move to Bristol City in doubt after collapse of Davide Santon deal

Matthews' future at Sunderland is still unknown.

Adam Matthews in action against Darlington preseason game last year | photo: realsport101

Sunderland defender Adam Matthews’ potential move to Bristol City is up in the air, leaving the Black Cats still struggling to fill the right-back position in the squad.

The move to The Robins was totally dependent on the Wearsiders finding a new right-back, but on Friday night the club ran into problems over the signing of Davide Santon from Inter Milan.

Hanging in the balance

With Santon's signature, it was believed that would then pave the way for Matthews to be released from his current contract with the club and to sign a deal with Bristol City.

The former Newcastle United defender had agreed to the terms to move to the Stadium of Light, and was expected he would undergo a medical on Saturday at the Academy of Light.

But on Friday evening, a short statement was released from the club which claimed the deal was off. "Sunderland AFC will not be pursuing its interest in Inter Milan player Davide Santon, after negotiations between the two clubs failed to reach a positive conclusion," was all it said.

Yedlin filling in the necessary position. | Photo: The Chronicle.

Uncertain future

After Sunderland pulled out of the Santon signing it now means Matthews must wait until the club can find the right player for the position they are looking for, to find out what his own future is.

Matthews has only made one appearance for the Black Cats since signing a four-year contract from Celtic, moving for a fee of £2 million. He never really made the grade for the first team, and then spent nine appearances as a loanee for the Robins.

The position has been a consistent problem for Sunderland, with manager Sam Allardyce very keen to add to his current squad in the summer transfer window.

Last season, Allardyce had DeAndre Yedlin in the role of right back; but the American has returned back to Tottenham Hotspur after his loan spell had ended.

Sunderland are allegedly very keen to have Yedlin back at the club. However, so far, have failed to strike a deal to tempt the player back for either another loan deal or for a permanent switch.